“Free Comic Book Day 2013” comes to Oakland – Saturday, May 4

During the first week of May, comic book lovers unite to celebrate an annual and special event – one that usually coincides with the premiere of a major blockbuster movie by Marvel Studios and or DC Entertainment.

Following the first screenings of the movie “Iron Man 3” on May 3, national and local comic book stores across the country will host “Free Comic Book Day 2013” on Saturday, May 4.

At this event, children and adults of all ages are invited to stop by a participating store and pick up a number of Gold and Silver titles provided by some of the top selling publishers and retailers.

Whether you are an avid collector or just want to introduce your child to a world where superheroes and villains battle to the end of the Earth for the right to rule the planet, the kind of comic books that are scheduled to be given away during this weekend event, is guaranteed to entice large crowds.

Therefore, in order to ensure that everyone receives free comics, early arrival is recommended.

While there may be plenty of comics and stores to choose from, Oakland Local has compiled a list of local shops in your area.

Dutch Bros. Coffee

Oakland-area Dutch Bros. Coffee, will give customers a free copy of the custom comic book Dutch Bros. “Freedom Fighters #4” to celebrate National “Free Comic Book Day 2013.”

“Comics are a way of storytelling and Dutch Bros. love stories,” Brant Boersma, the editor-in-chief and the son of company co-founder Dane Boersma, said. “In the stands, you get to hear all these different stories about customer’s lives, and they become your friends.”

“Freedom Fighters #4” is the fourth comic book in a kid-friendly series written by Jason Hetzer and illustrated by Jeffery Egli. Dutch Bros. will distribute 50,000 copies of the issue for free at all of its 198 coffee stands in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona.

“Like the Freedom Fighters, we get together as a team, we attack the cause and we unite under the cup,” Brant said.

The first issue of Dutch Bros. “Freedom Fighters” debuted on April 1, 2011. The characters started out as fun stickers for kids and were later developed into the highly popular comic book.

“Comics are filled with characters that do good things for their communities, which is what Dutch Bros. is all about,” Dutch Bros. Coffee Creative Director Dan Buck said.

One of Oakland’s biggest and historic comic book and game stores, DR Comics & MR Games, has been a fixture in the comic book and gaming community for more than 10 years. The shop – located at 4014 Piedmont Ave. in Oakland – is home to new comics, magazines, non-fiction books, T-shirts, trading cards, prints, back issues, new toys, models and statues, posters, graphic novels and other imported supplies.

If you are interested in collecting one or all of these titles, head on over to Collector’s Haven – located at 374 17th St. Suite C in Oakland. For more information, call (510) 788-4310.

Alameda Sportscards & Comics

Located at 1515 Webster St. in Alameda, this shop sells new comics, graphic novels, models and statues, back issues, new toys, trading cards, posters, magazines and T-shirts. The store’s hours are: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The Escapist Comic Bookstore is located at 3090 Claremont Ave. in Berkeley and is open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The shop has a large library of comics including: superhero, foreign language comics, vintage, fiction and literature, small press and minicomics.

In addition, the bookstore offers a variety of art books and an all-ages section.

For more information on events, call (510) 652-6642 or visit the store’s website.

Dark Carnival

A past participant of “Free Comic Book Day” and “Halloween ComicFest,” Dark Carnival aside from selling comic books, also retails videos, DVDs and other apparel.

Located at 3086 Claremont Ave. in Berkeley, the store’s hours are similar to those of the Escapist Comic Bookstore.

For more information, call (510) 654-7323 or visit the shop’s website.

Fantastic Comics

Another past participant of both “Free Comic Book Day” and “Halloween ComicFest,” is Fantastic Comics. This store is located at 2026 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley.

For more information, including store hours, call (510) 666-7759.

Jeffrey’s Toys

Last, but certainly not least, San Franciscans make sure to check out Jeffrey’s Toys store. Located at 685 Market St. in San Francisco, Jeffrey’s is open 365 days a year and was voted best toy shop/comic shop in San Francisco by the Bay Guardian & SF Weekly.

Jeffrey’s Toys is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (415) 546-6551.